1. Narrative Codes – Roland Barthes
A2 Media Studies

2. Recap What are the five stages of narrative outlined by Todorov?
What are the eight characters outlined by Propp?
How can you relate narrative to genre?
What is the importance of narrative for an audience?

3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Barthes by applying to trailers
Define the five narrative codes
Work in groups to define which codes are evident in your own trailer
Present application of Barthes back to the class.

4. Narrative Codes – Roland Barthes
Narrative Flow
Enigma Code
Action Code
Narrative Detail
Semic
Symbolic
Cultural

5. Enigma Code
Engage audiences in offering a puzzle and then delaying the answer
Does not necessarily take us to the end of the film
Occasionally enigmas are not answered

6. “What happened to Harriet?”

7. Action Code An event that has a series of logical consequences
Helps the audience comprehend where the narrative is going

8. Django draws his gun

9. Semic Code Connotations suggested by characters, objects and settings
Can help an audience recognise genre

10. How do we recognise genre?

11. Symbolic Code Narratives are about conflict between opposing forces
Forces often represent binary oppositions
Hero = Good Villain = Bad
Representation leads to ideological function

12. Hobbits v Orcs

13. Cultural Code Refers to knowledge audiences bring to a film
Spoofs require audiences to know which films are being referenced

14. Django & Django Unchained

15. Task
Using the five narrative codes outlined in the previous slides, work in groups to apply each of the codes to your own trailer and present this in a PowerPoint
Take screen grabs from you work to illustrate each code visually
Be prepared to present your ideas back to the class
You will have 30 minutes to complete this task

16. Summary
Using your mobile write a Twitter summary of what you have learned from today’s lesson
Send the tweet
What does Barthes offer your study of narrative that Propp and Todorov does not?